Downtown Los Angeles

Look up. Look down. Look around. What do you see?

Orpheum Theatre, ceiling detail, lobby

I revisited the golden era of Los Angeles this weekend; the Los Angeles Conservancy sponsored an event at one of the famous movie palaces in downtown L.A. – the Orpheum. At this sumptuous example of bygone glamour, they held a screening of Chinatown, one of my all-time favorite films.

Written by Robert Towne. Directed by Roman Polanski.

I’d never seen the movie before on the large screen. The impact of its themes – water rights, land issues, racism, misogyny and incest – is that much more powerful when the imagery is projected three stories high. The beauty of the venue made me yearn nostalgically for the days of white gloves and men’s fedoras.

Opened in 1926.

Is there some bit of architecture from a bygone era that is evocative for you?

Shaken & Stirred: The TR6

Now, I am not a “car person.” I know nothing about cars. I have a AAA card for a reason. And I simply sigh upon catching sight of the numerous dents and scratched on my trusty ole Toyota Corolla.

HOWEVER…

I am officially in love with this TR6. Sooooo sexy!

Double-O-seven can keep his gadgets. Don Drapper, shmapper. Smart car, what?

To me, this auto scene just screams, “man in bespoke suit hands me the keys and title to this lovely, little convertible, as a token of his appreciation, generosity and forethought.”

Oh, hell, a girl can dream, can’t she?

by Candace Bahouth

Her fantastical shoes are mosaic.

"flower" by Candace Bahouth

Imaginative.

"china" by Candace Bahouth

Bold.

"mirrored" by Candace Bahouth

Exceptionally constructed.

another stunning Candace Bahouth creation

Utterly gorgeous.

She designs astounding furniture as well. And her grottos – oh my! But the shoes…

I fall to pieces over them. What say you?

Well, I’ve found another alternative to the easily wilted and eventual decaying floral arrangement brides and first communion lambs must carry down the aisle…

camellia bouquet created by The Green Vase

Beautiful bouquets made from paper by Livia and Joanne at The Green Vase. Slightly less expensive than the afore-mentioned vintage bauble option, I find these creations tobe both delightfully delicate and reassuringly permanent.

pastel paper camellia bouquet by The Green Vase

And no, this does not mean I am planning any walk down the aisle.

What do you think? 

rock, crystal or plain ole magic?

I’m beginning to think that very little in life should ever be labelled “just a ______.”

Ain’t the universe truly grand?

bird cages

I came upon this tree, in the front yard of a stranger’s house. It was festooned with a multitude of cages both practical and surreal. It had a mate as well, bedecked with even more birdhouses. I heard no chirps from happy inhabitants but I was not dismayed. I don’t think that’s the point.

a mattress, part of the Street Treasures collection

I am utterly captivated by the tradition of abandoning unwanted furniture on sidewalks and street corners in urban centers. Does this happen in other countries? Does it happen in the burbs? I’ve always been curious to know the stories behind the rejects, long before that commercial with the catchy tune where the two guys pick up the discarded armchair and then toss it again upon discovering it stinks…

What was that ad for, again?

Anyway, I started snapping shots of these pieces a few months ago. I’ve named the project Street Treasures. Most of the images I’ve thus far gathered can be found in my emmajames Instagram stream but I’m going to continue developing the project and write some vignettes to accompany the photos. Perhaps it will turn into a book. Who knows?

Point is, I’m diggin’ it.

The above mattress is my latest Street Treasure, discovered on my walk home last night. It really is a pale pinkish-orange, like faded sherbet. Delicious.

Am I alone in my fascination with these finds?

a beach at twilight

The end of the day. The end of the weekend. The end of summer.

This is just an unnamed Southern California beach and sliver of sunset, captured at dusk on a Sunday from the upper deck of a train speeding home.

Beautiful. Wistful. Too brief.

hotel chandelier

I was in San Diego over the weekend, to take advantage of the fact that many people with whom I wanted to connect would be wandering the streets between BlogHer11 events. I stayed at the Hilton Bayfront and paid hard-earned money to be overcharged for a Peppermint Pattie, search in vain for a hotel robe, have an unnerving view from the pool of an enormous cargo ship loading Dole containers and listen to the never-ending hum of said cargo ship’s engine from every point in the building.

HOWEVER, the above-captured razzle-dazzle chandelier was on display.

It reminded me of the Lotus Chandelier I fell in love with over two years ago.

Someday, I’m going to have something like this in a room of my house. It may be the only thing in the room but…

IT WILL BE GLORIOUS!